History

For the past 40 years, The Forrest Centre has been part of the social fabric of Wagga Wagga.

The origins of The Forrest Centre traces back to two generous and determined women – The Venerable Mary Potter, who founded the Little Company of Mary (LCM) in England, and Wagga Wagga resident Miss Ethel Forrest.

Considered by many to be an eccentric recluse, Miss Forrest lived much of her life in frugal simplicity. When she died in 1977, she left the bulk of her large estate to the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, for the establishment of a a hospital-like facility in the region.

At the same time, the Little Company of Mary had expressed intent to construct a nursing home to operate in conjunction with Calvary Hospital. The then Regional Director of Health negotiated to combine theses visions which saw construction of a 60-bed nursing home, assessment and rehabilitation and day care centre for the aged community of Wagga Wagga, 1985.